JDRF named Official Charity of All-Star Game presented by Moe's Southwest Grill

Boston, Mass. (Tues., June 4, 2013) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional lacrosse league, named the JDRF as the official charity of the MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill. MLL will work to raise funds and awareness for JDRF, the leading global, charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

“We are thrilled to partner with JDRF again for the All-Star Game this year,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “We look forward to helping the organization raise awareness and funding for this worthy and vital cause.”

The partnership and charitable efforts will be centered around the All-Star Game, which will take place on July 13,2013, at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. JDRF will receive national exposure during the game, airing live on ESPN2 at 7:00PM.

This is the second season MLL partners with JDRF. In 2011 the efforts from Major League Lacrosse offices, players, and fans raised $25,000, and both the league and JDRF are looking to top their last fundraising total to further advance important T1D research.

“JDRF is excited to be teaming up with Major League Lacrosse and Moe’s Southwest Grill again this season to increase much needed funding for type 1 diabetes research,” said Margo K. Lucero, JDRF’s vice president of corporate development. “Their valued support will help us in our efforts to lessen the burdens of this disease from the millions of people who live with it every day.”

Pre-game ceremonies at the All-Star Game will recognize JDRF and its dedication to T1D research. Special edition jerseys, which include the JDRF logo, will also be worn by players during the game, and later be auctioned to the public with proceeds going to JDRF.

The partnership will continue throughout the summer. A final check with the total amount raised will be presented to JDRF at MLL Championship Weekend, presented by Smartlink, taking place August 24 and 25 in Philadelphia. The funds raised will help JDRF bring life-changing therapies to people with T1D, and ultimately, a cure for the disease.

T1D is an autoimmune disease that affects both children and adults, and is potentially fatal. There is currently no cure, therefore those with T1D must test their blood sugar levels and administer insulin injections daily. T1D can cause a series of complications and health issues including kidney failure, amputation, blindness, stroke, and heart disease leading to heart attacks. JDRF supports research to improve the lives of those with T1D, develop medical advancements to prevent health complications, and to eventually remove T1D completely from people’s lives.

Other partners of MLL’s annual signature event have included MetroLacrosse, Boys and Girls Club of America, Special Olympics of North America, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), HEADstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2013 MLL All-Star Game presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill on Ticketmaster.comor by calling 704-206-1515

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D.

As the largest charitable supporter of T1D research, JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In 2012 Forbes magazine named JDRF one of its five All-Star charities, citing the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.